Should parents be able to decide on their child’s religion

[thesheriff443]

People talk about humans having the right to choose what is right for them.

When it comes to religion children are introduced to a religion by way of their parents own beliefs, so my question is, should parents have the right to bring their kids up to believe in their religion.

[Josy]

Kids shouldn't be introduced to any religion imo, if when old enough they take an interest then fair enough but other than that leave religion out.

[Marsh.]

Down to the family.

Children are going to grow up around influences from their parents/family/friends no matter what. So, by all means introduce your child to your faith, as you surround them with everything else in life through your eyes during the years you are responsible for them.

Then when they are responsible for themselves, they make their own choices.

[Northern Monkey]

You could just as easily ask ‘should parents be able to bring their kids up with no religion?’
We could be condemning them to hell and damnation.

Parents should be able to bring their kids up how they feel is best imo.

[joeysteele]

No.

Although I guess taking their children to Church with them when young, I don't see a great deal wrong with that.

Forcing them to, or forcing their religion on them, I consider wrong.

In my faith, Roman Catholicism, forcing the rites on children is wrong.
So many I have seen once into teens, just stopping attending church and even walking away from that faith.

I'd prefer to see children not indoctrinated into any religion.
Making it, if they want to go to church, or not, or explore other faiths, or even none.
They can do so.

[thesheriff443]

You could just as easily ask ‘should parents be able to bring their kids up with no religion?’
We could be condemning them to hell and damnation.

Parents should be able to bring their kids up how they feel is best imo.

But do parents know best?, for the most part they themselves got introduced to religion by their parents.

It’s history influencing the future old out dated thinking being passed on to another generation.

[Dogeatdog]

I don’t think it’s right for parents to force religion on their children. I think they should let them make that choice as they get older. I would agree with what Joeysteele said that taking them to church when they are young I don’t see much of an issue with, but trying to force the religion on them I don’t think is fair.

[Denver]

People say it's not fair to force religion on a child but is it fair for a parent to change their religious beliefs for a child? A child can decide whether religion is for them or not when they get to 16/18

[Alf]

I'm glad my dad indoctrinated me into my religion of Hull FC, I could be a Hull KR supporter right now if he hadn't.

[Beso]

Children should be seen and not heard......unless there's bits getting chopped off..then they should be heard, and seen.

[Ammi]

...I guess if someone has a Faith then they would feel yes it’s fine to introduce their children to the same beliefs/faith...and if someone doesn't have a Faith, they might think...no it’s not fine because it’s instilling something...:laugh:...so long as they’re parents with whatever they believe in and practise, not damaging to their child, then really their decision is fine I would say...a loving and nurturing parent will introduce faith and religion well if that’s their decision...

[thesheriff443]

I’m not talking about casual church going people but those that live their life according to religion and so the kids have to live the same way.

This includes being cut as a boy or girl do to religion, being abused by a priest, being told it’s wrong to have sex before marriage, being made to marry some one due to religion, being put under pressure to do as your family wants do to their beliefs.

Some say that when kids get older they can decide but in reality what happens to you as a child stays with you as an adult.

[Ammi]

...you’re talking religious extremes in the main, then...no I don’t think religious extremes are a good thing in any family or a society as a whole...

[joeysteele]

All the things listed by sheriff I agree with as to the fact its done when the individual can understand the rite or issue.

With the exception of circumcising.

That's a decision from thousands of years of standing, of a vital part of that faith.
The baby will never remember it and also I have never come across personally, or in media or news, any number of people objecting it was done re males.

As to the other things listed I agree they are wrong.
I also don't like the fear element religions impose on people.

I was awkward with Priests as a child, well around 10 onwards.
I questioned a lot of what the Catholic expectations of it's members were and still are.
So when you have any strong imposition of fear installed in children, by religion, it's wrong pure and simple.

The nonsense of my church saying, when I was a child if I miss mass on a Sunday, I cannot take communion the next Sunday unless I've gone to confession.

Having going then into a state of no grace and needing to confess that sin for Gods forgiveness.
All put right with a few prayers, I could have done myself anyway, without being told to.
Ridiculous.
Yet parents were forcing children to get to confession before mass on the next Sunday.

I guess I was a bit of a rebel so did question a lot,even as a child.

However the near all, more oppressive things sheriff pointed out, then yes, those are wrong and should be unacceptable, I'd agree.

[Beso]

I'm glad my dad indoctrinated me into my religion of Hull FC, I could be a Hull KR supporter right now if he hadn't.

But then you would love my uncle George. ...George fairbairn.

[Oliver_W]

Of course parents should be able to raise their children however they see fit (within reason). Conversely, children should be able to reject religion without fearing being disowned or honour killed.

A sense of community is important - I'm lucky that in my corner of my smallish town there's a church which is used for all sorts (my scouting group, tabletop sales, coffee mornings, general events), and the minister is a busybody who knows everyone, but she doesn't try to make people come to Sunday service ("though I'd love it if you did!").

[bots]

i think children should be educated on the multitude of religions without forced indoctrination, the same as we educate on any other subject.

[joeysteele]

i think children should be educated on the multitude of religions without forced indoctrination, the same as we educate on any other subject.

I can go with that really.

[Crimson Dynamo]

"faith" is vile word for ignorance and superstition. No child should be lied to about such important matters as science and cosmology - its abuse pure and simple

[chuff me dizzy]

Yes,until they are of an age to decide for themselves

[Withano]

If they want... the kid is gonna learn about science, religion, and all the fun sins shortly afterwards so its unlikely to have much effect.

[Livia]

I was raised in my faith. I could have walked away at any time, I still could... and my parents would still love me like they do now. The people on here people with no faith are not particularly best placed to advise people whether or not they should raise their child with faith.

[Glenn.]

Children shouldn’t be forced into the anything religious imo. I find it disgusting that it’s still taught in schools.

[Denver]

Children shouldn’t be forced into the anything religious imo. I find it disgusting that it’s still taught in schools.

Children could lear a lot from Religion actually

[Denver]

Especially buddhism

[AnnieK]

My son goes to a C of E Primary School where they go to church etc but he is not Christened or a member of any faith. I had to appeal to get him into the school, its Ofsted report was the best in the area. I didn't want to determine his faith until he was of an age to choose. At the moment he has asked if he can be christened, but I think he just wants a party. I would rather he choose if and when he wants to follow a particular faith,for the right reasons. My Dad was not impressed, he thinks he should have been christened as a baby

[Toy Soldier]

Ehhhh it's a tough one. I personally don't believe that children should be raised with strong religious leanings, though the conversation should always be open and accepting.

On the other hand, I would never advocating removing the rights of parents to make that decision for themselves because the idea of strict governmental control over guardianship is terrifying. The government, of course, has to make sure that children are safe from abuse and neglect, but beyond that I don't believe in "government mandated parenting" at all. I was raised in my faith. I could have walked away at any time, I still could... and my parents would still love me like they do now. The people on here people with no faith are not particularly best placed to advise people whether or not they should raise their child with faith.No better or worse placed than those with religion; both present the same level of bias.

[Kazanne]

I was brought up C of E, loved Sunday school and never lost my faith, it has helped me through life and made me think twice about certain decisions , my children come to church sometimes if they want to and more often than not at least one of them wants to come,they are never forced, if they ask me questions about my faith I try and explain as best I can, they can go either way,it's entirely up to them,but for me it was a good and comforting upbringing.

[Toy Soldier]

My son goes to a C of E Primary School where they go to church etc but he is not Christened or a member of any faith. I had to appeal to get him into the school, its Ofsted report was the best in the area. I didn't want to determine his faith until he was of an age to choose. At the moment he has asked if he can be christened, but I think he just wants a party. I would rather he choose if and when he wants to follow a particular faith,for the right reasons. My Dad was not impressed, he thinks he should have been christened as a babyI was raised Church of Scotland and my wife was raised Catholic (though interestingly... Her dad was raised CofE and MY dad was raised Catholic (both non-religious as adults) :think: ).

We raise our children as non-religious BUT we are strongly considering sending our eldest to a Catholic High school in the nearest city purely because its an excellent school, and while our village is lovely and her primary school is great, her catchment non-denominational high school is a bus ride away to a... Less nice town... And the school itself is... not great. Like "if all else fails we'll move to a different catchment area at the end of primary school" sort of not great.

But yeah I personally think religion comes from the home anyway so the schools leanings don't matter that much. My wife went to Catholic school all the way through and neither her nor any of her old school friends are religious, and my dad (pushing 65) went through PROPER Catholic school, with actual nuns and stuff, and is if anything heavily CRITICAL of Catholicism [emoji38]

[Ant.]

As someone whose not religious, I actually have no objections to a child being raised as religious. At least with Christianity/me being raised Catholic, we had a chance to "confirm" our faith at 11 or reject it and leave the Church. I actually confirmed my faith despite not being religious, though :laugh:

[James]

I liked going to to Church and Sunday School when I was young.

[Oliver_W]

CofE schools are nearly always the best tbh